Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park

National Park

The Serengeti is Tanzania's most famous national park and one of the greatest wildlife destinations on Earth. Its name comes from the Maasai word "siringet", meaning "endless plains" — a fitting description for a landscape that stretches to the horizon in every direction, dotted with acacia trees and punctuated by rocky outcrops known as kopjes.

The park is home to the Great Migration, in which roughly two million wildebeest and zebra move in a continuous, weather-driven loop across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in search of fresh grazing. Beyond the migration, the Serengeti holds some of Africa's highest densities of lion, leopard, and cheetah, making it a year-round destination for serious wildlife viewing.

Category

National Park

Getting There

Fly into Kilimanjaro Int'l or Arusha Airport

Ideal For

Safari travelers

Region

Northern Tanzania

Best Time to Visit

Wildlife can be seen year-round, but timing matters if you want to follow the migration: calving season runs January to March in the southern plains, while river crossings typically happen July to October in the north.

Climate

Warm and dry for much of the year, with a long dry season from June to October and short and long rains falling roughly November–December and March–May.

Wildlife You Might See

  • The Great Migration's wildebeest and zebra herds
  • Healthy populations of lion, leopard, and cheetah
  • Elephant, giraffe, hippo, and Nile crocodile at the Mara and Grumeti rivers
  • Over 500 recorded bird species, from ostriches to secretary birds

Activities & Attractions

  • Game drives across the central, western, and northern Serengeti
  • Hot air balloon safaris over the plains at sunrise
  • River-crossing viewing during migration season
  • Guided walking safaris in select concession areas

Travel Tips for Serengeti National Park

  • The Serengeti is enormous — decide which region (central, north, or south) fits your travel dates and migration interests before booking.
  • Book migration-season camps well in advance, as the best-located properties fill up months ahead.
  • Combine the Serengeti with Ngorongoro Crater for a classic, high-density wildlife circuit.
  • Bring binoculars — many of the Serengeti's best sightings happen at a distance across open plains.

Serengeti National Park Safari Packages

Real itineraries that include Serengeti National Park — pick one to see the full day-by-day plan and pricing.

12-Day Honeymoon and Beach Holiday — Arusha Excursions

12-Day Honeymoon and Beach Holiday

From $3765
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13 Days of Kilimanjaro Trekking and Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari — Arusha Excursions

13 Days of Kilimanjaro Trekking and Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari

From $2812
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3-Day Group Camping Safari — Arusha Excursions

3-Day Group Camping Safari

From $825
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3-Day Luxury Adventure Safari to Serengeti & Ngorongoro — Arusha Excursions

3-Day Luxury Adventure Safari to Serengeti & Ngorongoro

From $1511
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4-Day Budget Shared Safari — Arusha Excursions

4-Day Budget Shared Safari

From $825
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4-Day Fly-In Classic Safari, Zanzibar to Tanzania’s Northern Circuit — Arusha Excursions

4-Day Fly-In Classic Safari, Zanzibar to Tanzania’s Northern Circuit

From $2310
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Frequently Asked Questions

It depends what you want to see: January to March for calving in the south, and July to October for the dramatic Mara River crossings in the north.

Yes — it's one of the best introductions to African safari travel, with consistently high wildlife densities and a huge range of camps and lodges to suit different budgets.

Three to four days lets you explore properly, though many itineraries combine 2-3 nights here with Ngorongoro Crater and other northern circuit parks.

Yes, this is one of the most popular combinations in Tanzania — a wildlife safari followed by a beach stay in Zanzibar.

Related Destinations

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Ngorongoro Crater
Ndutu Area, Tanzania

Ndutu Area
Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Tarangire National Park
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